3 Angels players most likely to be dealt at the trade deadline if things go awry

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The Los Angeles Angels have made it abundantly clear. They plan on competing in the 2024 season for a postseason spot. It has never felt less likely that the Angels would find a way to the postseason in the last decade with Shohei Ohtani gone and Mike Trout battling through constant injuries, but the Angels have not entered a rebuild for a reason.

Despite all of their hoping that they do make a push for the playoffs, the path is not an easy one to spot. The AL West is loaded with each of the previous two defending World Series champions, as well as a Mariners team that has won 88+ games in each of the last three years. The Angels won just 73 games last season with Shohei Ohtani. Sure, the bullpen is improved, but the team as a whole is not with Shohei gone.

If things don't go to plan, the Angels will presumably be trade deadline sellers. While Mike Trout is certainly not likely to be moved, here are three Angels players who should be seen as likely to go if things don't go to plan.

1) Brandon Drury

The most valuable player that the Angels would probably trade is Brandon Drury who has established himself as an All-Star caliber hitter the last couple of years. Drury broke out in 2022, taking home a Silver Slugger and was a Silver Slugger finalist at two positions this past season despite missing a month due to injury.

While the Angels would love to keep Drury around, he's 31 years old and in the final year of the two-year deal he signed last offseason. He's making just $8.5 million, making him an incredibly cheap and valuable bat.

What makes Drury such an intriguing target is his versatility. He played exclusively on the right side of the infield last season but has played a lot of third base, has seen substantial time in both corner outfield spots, and even has a bit of time at shortstop sprinkled in. He can fit in a variety of ways on any team, meaning his price will only go up for the Angels.

2) Matt Moore

The Angels made the slam dunk decision to bring Matt Moore back to Anaheim after he was such a good reliever for them. Like Drury, Moore broke out in a big way in 2022 before signing with the Angels that offseason. Also like Drury, he proved that his random breakout was no fluke.

While Carlos Estevez was dominant in the first half of last season, he struggled mightily down the stretch while Moore remained as reliable as ever. He proved to be very versatile, pitching effectively against both lefties and righties while also going more than an inning if the need was there.

Estevez's questionable second half undoubtedly put a damper on his trade value, but Moore being one of the best left-handed relievers in baseball the last two seasons should make his value quite high at the deadline assuming he pitches well once again in 2023.

Moore signed a one-year deal worth $9 million, making him an affordable trade target for just about every contender. Teams can always use more bullpen depth by the time the deadline rolls around, especially from the left side. Moore will be wanted by just about anybody if the Angels sell.

3) Carlos Estevez

Angels fans saw the highs and lows of the Carlos Estevez experience in his first season with the club. He got off to a brutal start, pitching so poorly in Spring Training to the point where Angels fans were clamoring for him to be removed from the closer role before the regular season even began. Thankfully Phil Nevin put little stock into Spring Training performance, and Estevez was lights out for the entire first half, not blowing a single save and posting a sub-2.00 ERA.

The second half was a completely different story for Estevez who wound up just not being usable most of the time. He struggled to locate his pitches, and when he was throwing strikes he was getting hammered.

His second half struggles are cause for concern, but he'll still be a prime trade candidate once the deadline rolls around with his contract in mind. He's making an extremely affordable $6.75 million this season, and will presumably pitch a whole lot better than he did down the stretch.

Estevez has not proven himself to be a reliable closer, but has proven himself to be a solid reliever throughout most of his seven-year career even while pitching predominantly at Coors Field. He won't get the Angels back as much as Drury or Moore in return most likely, but should be seen as a likely trade piece if the Angels do indeed struggle. Remember, getting something back for a player is more valuable than letting him walk for nothing.

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1) Brandon Drury

2) Matt Moore

3) Carlos Estevez

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